Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Zakharova slams Ukraine's decision against priests as 'Satanism'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Jan 2023 22:23
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

The 'unorthodox' step by Zelensky comes on Orthodox Christmas, driving Zakharova to call it "Satanism as it is."

  • x
  • Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova (TASS)
    Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova (TASS)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to strip 13 priests of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of their Ukrainian citizenship was condemned as 'Satanism' by Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry.

On her Telegram channel, Zakharova wrote, "Volodymyr Zelensky has deprived 13 priests of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church of their Ukrainian citizenship," adding, "and this is on Orthodox Christmas! Satanism as it is."

Zelensky, on Saturday, had signed a decree suspending 13 priests of the UOC accused of being in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate.

According to information by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), there has been a series of raids and assaults against UOC churches for alleged Russian affiliation. The SBU claims that "pro-Russian literature and millions in cash," as well as "materials denying the existence of Ukraine" were found in raided churches. 

As per the newly signed Ukrainian decree banning the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, several clergies were accused of "high treason, sabotage, and propaganda."

Related News

Kirill: Russia, Ukraine are one nation, church persecution 'pathetic'

Ukraine disregards Russian Orthodox Christmas truce, shells Donbass

Zelensky approves ban of religious orgs. promoting 'Russian interests'

Zelensky signed an order authorizing the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) on restrictive measures against representatives of religious organizations allegedly connected with Russia to protect national security, the President’s office said on December 2.

"To put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated December 1, 2022 On Certain Aspects of the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine and the Application of Special Personal Economic and Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)," the order read.

The list of sanctioned organizations has not been revealed yet, however, the document provides that the Ukrainian government will present a bill prohibiting religious organizations allegedly "affiliated with centers of influence in the Russian Federation."

According to the decree, the Security Service of Ukraine, police, and other law enforcement departments have been ordered to strengthen measures aimed at identification and counteraction of "undermining activity" allegedly conducted by the Russian secret service in the religious environment of Ukraine.

Oleksiy Honcharenko, a member of former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s party, European Solidarity, said his party had already submitted a draft bill on banning the Russian Orthodox Church and its affiliates in Ukraine.

Honcharenko explained that if the bill was adopted, all contracts on renting churches, cathedrals, and other monuments with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of the Moscow Patriarchate would be canceled.

Read more: Kirill: Russia, Ukraine are one nation, church persecution 'pathetic'

  • Orthodox Christmas
  • Maria Zakharova
  • Russia
  • Russian Orthodox Church
  • Ukraine
  • Kirill

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS